Two! (count 'em--two) Contests!

I feel so noticed! The fabulous John Green (author of Looking for Alaska, etc.) blogged about my August 21 post, and then did anyone catch that Roger Sutton commented on the last post? He's the editor of Horn Book magazine. As professional reviewers both, I was fascinated with their point-of-view. And I think Roger's right--what qualifies as a "spoiler" can be different for everyone. And you need to be able to talk about the book's plot to some degree in a review. I have had professional reviews (as well as casual reviews) that revealed the ending of the book, such as including naming the murderer in a murder mystery, unmasking characters in disguise, and declaring late-book deaths. There may not be easy rules with regards to spoilers, but in my opinion, if an event takes place in the second half of the book or is a mystery the story revolves around, it's best not to reveal it.

Okay, so here's the subject-promised contest number 1:

the actor and the housewife in a bookclub near you! Read the actor and the housewife with your bookclub and then report the experience. I'll select the account that interests me the most (I know! Vague criteria!) and the winner will get a big ol' box of books, filled with my titles (signed) as well as others. Remember how exciting it was to go to school the day book orders came in? And getting that new stack of books? That's how it'll be. But even cooler. No real guidelines for this. You can write me an account, send me a link where you've posted photos, or make a video, or do any combination of the three. However you want. Shorter seems better, i.e. a 3000 word commentary or a 15 minute video can get boring. Email me the account (or link to it, if you post a video or a blog with photos), with the subject line "Actor and the Housewife contest" to squeetus (at) gmail (dot) com. Please no attachments. Contest runs through January 2010.

And on to contest number 2:

 Rapunzel takes her revenge! Create a book trailer for rapunzel's revenge, post it on youtube, and send me the link. Please put "Rapunzel Revenge contest" in the subject line and send to: squeetus (at) gmail (dot) com. No rules, but again, shorter is better (I recommend under 2 minutes), and of course, keep it clean. Contest runs through January 2010, the month the sequel, calamity jack, will be released! I announced this contest earlier, so let me clarify something: Marcus Aurelius made this fabulous trailer, but it is not entered into the contest, so don't worry that you're competing against his awesomness. The winner for this contest will be selected by popular vote. In January, I'll post links to all the entries. Again, the winner gets an amazing array of books, including many of my titles, all signed.

Have fun with these! I can't wait to see the entries.

Also, one more link--this is a blog kept by an illustrator father and his four kids. For their third anniversary, professional illustrators chose a drawing made by one of the kids and redid it in their own style. I love how the profressional illustrations celebrate rather than "correct." Really lovely. What great kiddos!

Comments

[Emnia]

Awesome-lishioush! How exciting-- two contests! Have fun, ya'll who are doing 'em! (;
Yep, that's how it goes; all 'spoilers' are different-- like how those people who read the ending of the books (I do it so I never truly really poor my eyes out when I reading in public and someone dies!) won't be really surprised when someone dies, because they know they'll only read the back first. :P Amazing. And some people might consider finding out wheat the middle of the book is 'bout, because they wanted to read it on their own. :) Great observation!

[Je Reve]

I posted my entry for Rapunzel on June 6th, and am utterly relieved that Marcus isn't entered. I had lost hope. But now...
My video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oa11OBIjXI
Or to see all the other awesome entries (2 at the moment, I think, just search Rapunzel's Revenge on youtube. Also, feel welcome to comment. Thanks for the post, Shannon!
Je reve des livres

[DaNae]

Our book club may have to break our time honored tradtion and do a grown-up book for a change.

Kudos for the Sutton thing.

[Tia Juana]

Why can I not get your books on Kindle???

[Shannon M.]

Did you know your blog was also referenced in the Twitterverse?

@barrygoldblatt tweeted a link to your post along with a link to John Green's response so I'm sure that got even more people reading it (he has 783 followers after all)

I don't think you do twitter (think carefully before you start--it's INSANELY addictive) so I thought I would mention it in case you didn't know. (And yes, in case you're wondering I'm a total twitter nerd.)

[Christen]

Aw, I'd love to make a trailer, but I don't really know how... But still--contests!! :D

[Amira]

Does my book group get a prize for already discussing The Actor and the Housewife? We had about 10 of us get together at the beginning of August to discuss it.

[Jen]

Ooooh. I will do the first one, and I will crack the whip on my husband, who has been wanting to do the second.

[Amber]

When will The Actor and the Houswife come out in paperback? And I know the hardcover of Forest Born isn't even out yet, but when will that come out?

[julie]

i'll have to do the actor and housewife once I get the book...but I'm up for the challenge.

[Kelly Bryson]

Shannon, I just stopped in to tell you that I just read the "Book of a Thousand Days" and it was wonderful. I am working on my own novel (who isn't, right?) and for several reasons appreciate your work. First, I can lose myself in your language, without going into editing mode. Second, it's helpful to see the example of moms who put their kids first, but don't quit dreaming. Thanks for the wonderful stories! -Kelly

[Christy]

I just finished reading A&H and LOVED it (I read Austenland again too, I'm Shannon Hale binging!). The dialog was fantastic! I laughed out loud over and over again and also cried a ton. What a great book. I'm talking to our book group leader about maybe reading it for our group...we'll see what happens. I thought it would make for a great discussion if we also read that article on spiritual fidelity that was in the Ensign this month. That would definitely get the opinions flowing!

[Nikita]

These contests sound great. It reminds me of Julia Golding's(british author) website, she worte many great books (like you) and had a contest (like you)-- except that it was about writing a poem describing one of her main character's adventures, and the wittiest one would get a signed copy of one of her books. It was really fun. I know I'm blabbing on but here's her website if your curious:
www.juliagolding.co.uk

[Susan]

Alas, I am bookclub-less, but I read A&H on my own and enjoyed it tremendously, just as I did Princess Academy. I'm requesting Austenland from the library today! Thanks for the great reads.

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Although some object that this infringes on states' rights, the Supreme Court

[NFL Jerseys]

Our book club may have to break our time honored tradtion and do a grown-up book for a change.

Kudos for the Sutton thing.

[Ruth]

For the Actor and and Houswife report, do we email that to you? Should I write an essay about it or just a few paragraphs? I've read The Actor and the Housewife 6 times...It is one of the best books I've ever read! I want to participate in the costest, but I don't know where to submit my report. -Ruth

[Ruth]

I don't have a book club either...but I can read it again with a book club if that counts.

[Ruth]

-Ruth

[Ruth]

When is the report due?
-Ruth

[Christian Louboutin Shoes]

heavily influenced by what a great deal this place is, I agree! I've been to better Italian restaurants (though there are no good ones in Hampton Roads that I'm aware of)...but I do have to say the pizza margherita is